Rail-joint.



Patented Nov. 25; I902.

L. F. SCHUDDE.

BAIL JOINT. m lica'cion filed July 1'. 1902.)

(No Model INYENTOR.

wn-usssss:

ATENT FFICE.

LOUIS F. SOHODDE, OF ALLEGHENY, PENNSYLVANIA.

RAIL-JOINT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 714,405, dated November 25, 1902.

Application filed July 1, 1902. Serial No. 113,903. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern/.-

Be it known that I, LOUIS F. SOHODDE, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Allegheny, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have in vented certain new and useful Improvements in Rail-Joints, of which the following is a speciflcation,reference being bad therein to the accompanying drawings.

The object of my invention is to provide a new and improved rail-joint; and to this end the present invention consists of a new and improved rail-joint, in a joint in which all bolts and nuts are dispensed with, and in the construction and arrangement of parts, all as fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an applicationof my invention, Figure 1 is a side elevational View showing my joint applied to the ends of two adjacent rails; Fig. 2, a plan view, and Fig. 3 a part end view and a part-sectional View.

Referring to the drawings, 1 and 2 represent the ends of two adjacent rails of the usual and well-known construction, and 3 ties.

As illustrated, I employ two fish-plates or angle-plates 4, each provided with an upper bearing-head 5, adapted to bear against a portion of the under surface of the head of each of the adjacent rails, and a bearing 6, which latter is in contact with the web of each rail. A bearing-surface 7 is also provided and is in contact with the upper faces of the bases of the rails. Each plate 4 has a tapered side portion 8 and an inwardly-extending part 9. Part 9 of each plate extends under the base of each rail nearly to the center of the bases. 10 indicates a space between the said parts 9. The tapering sides of theplates 4 are particularly shown by Fig. 2. By reference to this figure it will be noted that the sides of the plates are thickest at their middle portion, with a gradual taper running from the middle toward each end. Below the parts 9 of the plates 4 I provide a bed or clamping plate 11. This plate 11 preferably extends the full length of the fish-plates and is provided with flanges 12. Flanges 12 are adapted to be turned down and engage with the fish-plates, as particularly shown by Fig. 3.

Interposed between the tapered sides 8 of the fish-plates and the straight inner faces of the flanges 12 I employ tapering keys or wedges 14. For the purpose of aiding in preventing the keys or wedges working loose after they are driven into position I provide cut-outs or openings 15 in the flanges 12 of the base-plate, the inner ends of the keys being turned over upon said flanges. In the form of joint illustrated I have shown four keys let, two on each side of the web of the rail, and both of the fish or angle plates 4 with tapering sides 8. While this is for most purposes the most desirable form of my in- Vention, one plate could be made with a flat or straight side instead of being tapered, as above set forth, and tapering wedges used on one side only.

What I claim is 1. In a rail-joint, the combination with the ends of two adjacent rails, fish-plates located on both sides of the web of each rail, said plates each having an inwardlyextending portion in cont-act with the lower face of the base of each rail, a clamping-plate inclosing the inwardly-extending portions of the fish plates, tapering wedges interposed between the fish-plates and the clamping-plate, and cut-out portions in the clamping-plate adapted to receive the inner ends of the wedges, substantially as set forth.

2. In a rail-joint, the combination with the ends of two adjacent rails, fish-plates located on both sides of the web of each rail, said plates each provided with an inwardly-extending portion in contact with the lower face of the base of each rail and having tapering sides, a clam ping-plate inclosing the inwardlyextending portions of the fish-plates, and tapering wedges interposed between the said tapering sides of the fish-plates and the clamping-plate, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature. in presence of two witnesses.

LOUIS F. SCHODDE.

Witnesses:

LAURA E. HUBBARD, W. G. DOOLITTLE. 

